Promwad vs Spyrosoft: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Promwad (4.4/5) edges ahead of Spyrosoft (3.9/5) overall. Promwad is the better choice for hardware startups heading for volume production. Spyrosoft is the stronger option for EU automotive and EV-charging embedded teams. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Promwad vs Spyrosoft: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Promwad | Spyrosoft |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2004 | 2016 |
| HQ | Essen, Germany | Wrocław, Poland |
| Team size | 101–250 | 1,500+ |
| Rating | 4.4 / 5 | 3.9 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Combined PCB, FPGA and firmware design with manufacturing preparation, delivered from EU entities | Polish delivery for embedded HMI, EV charging and embedded security testing |
| Pricing model | Fixed project, time & materials, dedicated team | Time & materials, dedicated team |
| Min. engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Primary tech stack | C, C++, Embedded Linux | C, C++, Qt |
| Industries served | Telecom & broadcast, Automotive, Industrial IoT, Consumer electronics | Automotive, Energy & EV charging, Aerospace & defence |
Promwad vs Spyrosoft: overview
Promwad
Roman Pakholkov started Promwad in Minsk in 2004 to design mass-produced electronics on system-on-chip platforms, and the company has since moved its business into the EU, with headquarters in Essen, Germany and a client delivery office in Lithuania. It reports more than 100 employees across 15 countries (per company website; independently unverifiable) and over 500 completed projects. Work spans schematic and PCB design, FPGA logic, embedded Linux, RTOS firmware and preparing designs for factory production. Broadcast video, telecom, automotive and industrial automation are its most frequently cited sectors.
Spyrosoft
Spyrosoft was established in Wrocław in 2016 and grew quickly to more than 1,500 staff and roughly $122 million in 2024 revenue across about 15 offices. Its embedded unit works on HMI software, automotive systems, EV-charging firmware testing and embedded security, including secure boot and OTA updates. It also has a defence and cybersecurity line. The firm is a good fit for EU buyers who need Polish delivery and a mix of embedded and application engineers.
Services and capabilities: Promwad vs Spyrosoft
| Capability | Promwad | Spyrosoft |
|---|---|---|
| Bare-metal & RTOS firmware | ✓ | ✗ |
| Embedded Linux & BSP | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronics & PCB design | ✓ | ✗ |
| Wireless & IoT connectivity | ✓ | ✗ |
| Secure boot & OTA | ✗ | ✓ |
| FPGA development | ✓ | ✗ |
| Firmware testing & HIL | ✗ | ✓ |
| Dedicated team model | ✓ | ✓ |
Tech stack comparison: Promwad vs Spyrosoft
| Framework / platform | Promwad | Spyrosoft |
|---|---|---|
| FreeRTOS | ✓ | N/A |
| Zephyr | ✓ | N/A |
| Embedded Linux | ✓ | ✓ |
| Yocto | ✓ | N/A |
| AUTOSAR | N/A | ✓ |
| STM32 | ✓ | N/A |
| Nordic | N/A | N/A |
| NXP | ✓ | N/A |
| FPGA | ✓ | N/A |
Pricing comparison: Promwad vs Spyrosoft
| Criterion | Promwad | Spyrosoft |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Engagement models | Dedicated team, Fixed project, Time & materials | Dedicated team, Time & materials |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Promwad vs Spyrosoft
| Dimension | Promwad | Spyrosoft |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Telecom & broadcast, Automotive, Industrial IoT | Automotive, Energy & EV charging, Aerospace & defence |
| Best use cases | Designing an FPGA-based video encoder board with embedded Linux, Taking an IoT sensor from prototype to a design ready for volume production | Building a Qt-based HMI for an EV charger, Running a security assessment of a device's firmware update path |
| Typical project type | Dedicated team | Dedicated team |
Promwad vs Spyrosoft: pros and cons
| Promwad | |
|---|---|
| + | FPGA and firmware engineers work in the same team, which helps on video and high-speed interface products |
| + | Design-for-manufacturing experience reduces surprises when a prototype moves to a contract manufacturer |
| + | Twenty years of shipped products gives it a long reference list across telecom and broadcast |
| + | Contracting through EU entities simplifies procurement for European buyers |
| - | Founded in Belarus and relocated to the EU; some buyers will want to confirm where their engineers are actually based |
| - | Headcount figures vary by source, so ask who will be assigned before signing |
| - | Pure firmware jobs without a hardware component are a smaller share of its portfolio |
| Spyrosoft | |
|---|---|
| + | Embedded HMI and Qt experience for automotive and industrial displays |
| + | Embedded penetration testing and secure-boot work |
| + | EU contracts and Polish engineering rates |
| - | Rapid growth since 2016 means team seniority can vary |
| - | Embedded is one unit within a broad software company |
Who should choose Promwad?
A typical fit: designing an FPGA-based video encoder board with embedded Linux.
Combined PCB, FPGA and firmware design with manufacturing preparation, delivered from EU entities. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Telecom & broadcast, Automotive, Industrial IoT, Consumer electronics.
Who should choose Spyrosoft?
A typical fit: building a Qt-based HMI for an EV charger.
Polish delivery for embedded HMI, EV charging and embedded security testing. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Automotive, Energy & EV charging, Aerospace & defence.
Decision matrix: Promwad vs Spyrosoft
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Promwad |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Promwad |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Promwad (Not disclosed) vs Spyrosoft (Not disclosed) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Promwad |
| You need engineers to extend your own firmware team | Promwad |
| You need consulting before committing to a build | Both may offer discovery engagements |
Use case fit: Promwad vs Spyrosoft
| Use case | Promwad fit | Spyrosoft fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Designing an FPGA-based video encoder board with embedded Linux | Strong | Limited | Promwad |
| Taking an IoT sensor from prototype to a design ready for volume production | Strong | Limited | Promwad |
| Building a Qt-based HMI for an EV charger | Limited | Strong | Spyrosoft |
| Running a security assessment of a device's firmware update path | Limited | Strong | Spyrosoft |
| Fixed-price firmware build | Strong | Limited | Promwad |
| Extending an in-house firmware team | Strong | Strong | Both |
Verdict: Promwad vs Spyrosoft
Promwad (4.4/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Firmware Development projects. Combined PCB, FPGA and firmware design with manufacturing preparation, delivered from EU entities.
Spyrosoft (3.9/5) is worth a look if you need running a security assessment of a device's firmware update path. If your situation matches that, Spyrosoft is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Promwad vs Spyrosoft FAQ
Is Promwad better than Spyrosoft?
Promwad (4.4/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Promwad's strongest advantage: FPGA and firmware engineers work in the same team, which helps on video and high-speed interface products. Spyrosoft's strongest advantage: embedded HMI and Qt experience for automotive and industrial displays.
How do Promwad and Spyrosoft differ in pricing?
Promwad uses fixed project, time & materials, dedicated team pricing. Spyrosoft uses time & materials, dedicated team pricing. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: Promwad or Spyrosoft?
Promwad is the larger team and typically the better enterprise-scale choice. For very large programmes, verify team size and compliance coverage directly with each service provider before shortlisting.
What are the main differences between Promwad and Spyrosoft?
Promwad's primary differentiator is: combined PCB, FPGA and firmware design with manufacturing preparation, delivered from EU entities. Spyrosoft's primary differentiator is: polish delivery for embedded HMI, EV charging and embedded security testing. They also differ in team size (101–250 vs 1,500+), minimum engagement (Not disclosed vs Not disclosed), and primary industries served (Telecom & broadcast, Automotive vs Automotive, Energy & EV charging).
Verify all details directly with each service provider before making a decision.